Transition: Bahrain and Kalam pass into civilian control

SWAT:

After years of militancy ravaged Swat valley and a military operation necessitated a takeover by the Pakistan Army, Bahrain and Kalam have finally been transferred to the civil administration in a phased transition of power.

On February 11, a unanimous decision to transfer control of Malakand to the civil administration was taken at a meeting chaired by Operation Commander Malakand Maj. Gen. Ghulam Qamar which was attended by all district coordination officers and army officials.

Madyan will be handed over to the civil administration by March 12, followed by Malakand Agency in June, whereas Chitral and Dir will come under civilian control by the end of the year.

Military check posts have been removed. Now the police will be responsible for ensuring security and maintaining law and order,” said Col Arif, spokesman for Swat Media Centre.

The step was appreciated by people from all walks of life in Swat who had been waiting for years for normalcy to return to Swat valley.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2012.